[Rusty the Scoob]

Sluggo's post was funny if he meant it in a light-hearted way IMHO.

Personally I've always assumed poor monitor technology was to blame for most of Donna's bad shows, since she did have some very nice ones where she really contributed. She definitely could sing... sometimes.

[weirimpressed]

I dunno, Donna has some good shows, but for the most part I enjoy listening to the dead without her. Kieths good too, but you can tell that H was too much for him in the end, obviously. Are the Tricksters pretty good in concert? never had the chance to see them...

[frankielee]

From Long Strange Trip by D. McNally "...In February there was a band meeting at their house(Keith and Donna's)and the message from the band was simple "It's not working out."There was no argument. Your right it's not working out. Everybody agreed perfectly recalled Donna. A million pounds lifted off me." FWIW

[Mick]

Seriously, Donna can sing. She has a very nice voice with great tone and even has some power at times. She can sing on key too as anyone who has listened to any substantial amount of GD material from that era can attest if they chose to be objective about it. I'm not saying that she always did, but she did often enough to convince me that she can sing on key.

That said, she did have some bad habits in the earlier part of her time with the GD, but now that I have been listening to more mid to late 70s stuff, it appears she was at least working on them. That's not to say that I haven't heard songs where I think her live performance took away from the experience rather than adding to it, as I definitely have. I can also see how it would be easy for folks who are into the GD to just dislike her whole vocal style and I agree that she didn't really fit well with the band. Given that, I don't see anything wrong with people being happy that she left the band, and based on the above posts, she agreed she didn't fit and was probably happy to leave the band as well. For what it is worth, I think the band was at their best in the Brent years for a variety of reasons, one of them being that Donna didn't fit and they were better without her.

The "Sluggo" post, is either mean spirited or a joke, I don't think it matters much which. If it is the former, I think it is a little uncalled for, but IMO, if you charge money for people to see you perform, you open yourself up to all kinds of criticism as part of the deal. If you can't take criticism of your performance, whether it is constructive, mean-spirited, destructive, or ridiculing, best to limit your audience to your Mother.

It is also my opinion that Keith was a solid keyboard player and I generally enjoy his contributions. I think Brent was better with the instrument and I always enjoyed Vince's vocal performances both with the Dead and with the Tubes, but I find specific criticisms of Keith difficult to come by.

[Tennessee Jedi]

I hear ya guys for real for real.
I overlook the bad for the most part.
I mean its not like Phil has a good voice- but I love when he sings and you hear him with the back ups.
Somebody mentioned the Egypt shows?
The Shakedown is one spacey beast- has an almost DarkStar vibe - but the vocal jam thing has the vocals way down in the mix cause they sucked.Bad.
I always thought they were asked to leave the band 'cause Kieth didnt want to play keys- only piano.
Kick one out you gotta kick the other out.
They did both tour with Jerry too (after they were kicked out)so its not how Mr.Sluggo had it -Liked she sucked so bad.
Plus I find her very appealing.
All long hippy hair and high cheek bones.

[frankielee]

Seriously, Donna can sing. She has a very nice voice with great tone and even has some power at times. She can sing on key too as anyone who has listened to any substantial amount of GD material from that era can attest if they chose to be objective about it. I'm not saying that she always did, but she did often enough to convince me that she can sing on key.

That said, she did have some bad habits in the earlier part of her time with the GD, but now that I have been listening to more mid to late 70s stuff, it appears she was at least working on them. That's not to say that I haven't heard songs where I think her live performance took away from the experience rather than adding to it, as I definitely have. I can also see how it would be easy for folks who are into the GD to just dislike her whole vocal style and I agree that she didn't really fit well with the band. Given that, I don't see anything wrong with people being happy that she left the band, and based on the above posts, she agreed she didn't fit and was probably happy to leave the band as well. For what it is worth, I think the band was at their best in the Brent years for a variety of reasons, one of them being that Donna didn't fit and they were better without her.

The "Sluggo" post, is either mean spirited or a joke, I don't think it matters much which. If it is the former, I think it is a little uncalled for, but IMO, if you charge money for people to see you perform, you open yourself up to all kinds of criticism as part of the deal. If you can't take criticism of your performance, whether it is constructive, mean-spirited, destructive, or ridiculing, best to limit your audience to your Mother.

It is also my opinion that Keith was a solid keyboard player and I generally enjoy his contributions. I think Brent was better with the instrument and I always enjoyed Vince's vocal performances both with the Dead and with the Tubes, but I find specific criticisms of Keith difficult to come by.

Very well said

[BuddhaG]

All long hippy hair and high cheek bones.

Yeah I thought she was pretty cute in the early 70s too. Shes almost old enough to be my grandma though.

I'm glad she is still doing stuff. I support any artist that finds a way to get his/her music out there. Of course not if its pointless crap like Brittney Spears but I think there is no real comparison there.

[Django]

Here's the deal. I said once in an earlier post about how back in '72 it was important culturally (Dead culture anyway) to see a woman in the band, at least for me. Your REOs, Aerosmiths, Deep Purples, Black Sabbaths etc. were all dudes. Seeing a long haired Donna standing beside a long haired Jerry and all looked like THE revolution! Guys and Chicks in it together.
I remember being slightly ashamed of a home town crowd that started wolf whistling and hooting everytime she started to sway a little with the music. A bunch of college boys thinking they were at a strip club or something.
When I hear someone complaining about their lately begotten show collection being ruined by her vocals, I just have to shake my head. What are you noobs about anyway.
Vocally there are rough spots with everyone - however I DL'ed a show when she was on PG leave on exhuberant recommendation and found the unison vocals a little hesitant and they lacked punch. Having her in the mix added to the power of those parts.

[weirimpressed]

Everyone is off once in a while, cant really hate on that (unless your paying to see it I guess).

I have a couple shows of Dark Star Orchestra with their Donna standing in, and they REALLY blow my mind. The vocals are amazing, and she can really sing and improvise with her voice in the shows. If you want an example, the 07-09-07 show in Atlanta is good.

Before yall start hating on me for mentioning dark star, i am only comparing the vocals of donna from a period with the vocals of the donna in dark star orchestra.

[Django]

Ok. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.

[weirimpressed]

haha yeah...

whatever greg

[Dozin]

Donna and I share the same birthday so she's always been cool with me. I would of liked to seen her perform back in the 70's.

[Sluggo714]

Well Gee, I'm just so surprised to find criticism of my post, and, of course, not at all surprised to find some agreement. And while there was quite a bit of tongue in my cheek the part about her singing being bloody awful at times was the sad and honest truth. Yes, of course there were times when she was on, but more often than not in recordings of the K&D era, Donna's voice ruined what were otherwise great performances. I've often remarked that the only down side to Kieth's terrific playing was having to hear Donna screw it all up vocally. And to compare her crappy voice with Phil, well GEEZ people Phil was the garldang BASS PLAYER. Donna was a singer and ONLY a singer and for her to have a batting average of around .250 when it came to being on key is pretty pathetic. Maybe if they let her play tambourine or something it wouldn't have been a complete loss.

And PLEASE don't blame the monitors or the idea that she couldn't hear herself. Not being able to hear herself singing would actually be, for her, a blessing in disguise. I wish I had her vantage point- maybe a certain spot in the room where I couldn't hear her either, but no such luck. It amazes me when people use this crap excuse to somehow give Donna a pass on her lack of vocal, shall we say, consistency. Just shows how musically inept they are.

Oh, Hey Tommy, did I stir up the hornet's nest or what? Bwaaaahaaaahaaaa!

[Tennessee Jedi]

Yeah -she was so awful they let her stay in the band for 8 years.And record.
And toured with Jerry.
Even though she "ruined" them.
I just thought all your points were stupid.

[Fuzheng]

As one who was there, Donna was part of the band. All the songs that were developed during that era were done so with her in mind and what she had to contribute. I recall reading somewhere that The music never stopped was written as a showcase for her. I've never been able to think of that number without her. Plus, the Dead were a bunch that did whatever they wanted. They were young, vital and edgy and if they didn't like what she brought she wouldn't have been there. So all you "youngun's" and "youngun's" not so young anymore, that was the band was THEN, steps along the way for becoming the band you first met.